Why I’m Running

A message from Gabriel:

I am a resident of Echo Park, born and raised in Cypress Park. The proud son of Mexican immigrants, I’ve lived in this community for most of my life. I’m running for State Assembly because I care deeply about the future of the 51st District. I will fight every day to ensure working families have affordable healthcare and housing, can send their children to quality schools, and live in safe neighborhoods.

As an education and civil rights attorney, I’m uniquely suited to champion issues that are most important to our community. I’ll work tirelessly to create good-paying jobs, protect our environment, prepare students for 21st century jobs, and help small businesses thrive.

As a civil rights attorney for President Barack Obama, I worked to protect students from being discriminated against because of their race, national origin, sex, and disability. As a Deputy City Attorney, I directed the effort to prosecute consultants who take advantage of immigrants, and represented the City on the task force to stop human trafficking. I will take these experiences to Sacramento to defend our neighborhoods from polluters, protect immigrant communities, and reform our criminal justice system.

My story is anchored in the hopes and dreams of my immigrant parents—from Aragon Elementary and Divine Saviour in Cypress Park, Loyola High School, Stanford, and Columbia Law School, to the White House. With your support, I will fight to ensure every resident of our community has the opportunity to achieve the American Dream.

My commitment is also rooted in the Jesuit education that I received at Loyola High School, which taught and inspired me to serve others and to focus on justice. These are the same values that I will take to Sacramento to fight tirelessly on issues we all care about – from providing a quality education to every student to supporting and protecting the most marginalized in our community, from creating more good-paying jobs to supporting our local and family-owned businesses. I am ready to roll up my sleeves and work with the community to continue to bring meaningful and positive change as a member of the State Assembly. I look forward to earning the community’s support.